- Medica National
Issue: Lack of Health Club subsidy
I would very much encourage the University of Minnesota and Medica
insurance to offer, as part of employees benefit plan a reimbursements
to Employees who belong to, and utilize health clubs. At my last place
of employment, where I was a Medica insurance subscriber, I was
reimbursed $20/month toward my YWCA membership monthly dues if I
utilized the YWCA facility at least 8 times per month. PLEASE consider
this as a preventitive health measure!!!! Thank you.
- Medica National
Issue: Lack of Health Club subsidy, but Medica Choice is great!
Dear Peh, I have Medica Choice and so far have been very pleased with it.
I've received care at several places without problems. I'm not sure if you
are the person to get additional suggestions, but it would be great if UMN
would include coverage for participation in health club facilities. Other
organizations have a benefit where if you attend at least 8 sessions per
month they provide some coverage toward the monthly cost of membership.
- Medica National
Issue: Lack of Health Club subsidy
I feel that dollars would be well spent if the University would opt to have
available to their employees Medica coverage to workout centers. Medica
does have this option available in their plan, but the University has
choosen not to make it available to their employees. Why?
- Medica Regional
Issue: Lack of Health Club subsidy
As a subscriber to Medica Health Insurance I wish the University would
subscribe to the portion that would include partial payment for fitness
center membership. The University encourages preventative and healthy
lifestyle choices, they should provide the incentive of, if you work out 2-3
times a week, they pay a portion of the membership fee. Other local
employers do that, local school district and banks, and it does encourage
consistent workouts. I think this benefit would be a great incentive to
encourage health and fitness.
- Medica National
Issue: Lack of Health Club subsidy
Hi I am a U of M employee with Medical national health insurance. I would
like to see Anytime Fitness in Crytsal added to the fit choices by Medica.
I am otherwise happy with my health plan. I did not hast to change medical
facilities at all after becoming an employee of the University. I am a
member of Anytime Fitness and go there regularly. Thanks,
- Medica National
Issue: Lack of Health Club subsidy
Needed benefit would be use of a fitness center to include swimming
pool, aerobic equipment & classes, weights, & heated therapy pool.
- Medica Regional
Issue: Lack of Mental Health Providers in rural areas
Peh,
I haven't had much experience with this plan yet, we just switched this
summer when my family moved. So far the experience has been favorable
with one exception. Access to mental health providers is extremely
limited. What we have experienced is needing to drive to a town 30 or
more miles away to see a provider that is there one day a month. When
bad weather intervened, that put the appointment off by a full month. I
understand the issues around providing good care in rural areas, but
access is a concern.
Thanks!
- Medica Regional
Issue: Lack of Medica providers in the SW region of MN borders
The extension service covers all of Minnesota and when you consider
Minnesota as a visual, it is a big state-not just the metro area.
I would like decision makers to be aware that they have employees all over
the state, and for those of us that live in the very corners of the state,
we couldn't be further from the metro area.
We would like you to consider that when updating the provider list.
I happen to live in the very SW corner of the state. The major hub for good
medical care is Sioux Falls, SD yet there are few Medica providers for
employees to see in Sioux Falls. Geographically, I think because the
NE corner is Duluth, you've taken that into consideration with finding
Medica
providers and for the SE corner you probably recognize the Rochester
area with
Medica providers. I am not sure where people go for major care in the NW
corner of the state.
Please revisit adding a lot more providers from the Sioux Falls
area for us in SW MN.
When I have called Medica in the past, they refer me to providers in the
metro area for special medical needs or concerns. That is 180 miles from me
one way. Sioux Falls is 90 one way.
Let's be fair in providing reasonable major medical care with
approved providers within reasonable distances for ALL employees.
Thanks.
- Medica National
Issue: Co-pays too high
Co-pays too high, way too high. Other than that, all is well. Thank
you for asking!
- Medica National
Issue: Co-pays too high, and follow-ups to surgeries should NOT have copays
For the most part, I've been ok with the plan. The copays ($25) are
kind of expensive, especially when you are going in 2 times a month for
Lab and INR checks, along with 1 or 2 doctor appointments a month. It
would be nice if the regular ongoing lab and INR checks had no copays or
one copay a month.
About the only other complaint that I have is after I had surgery last
year (Aug 14th), it was my understanding that follow up appointments
after surgery did not have a copay (for the first 3 months). From
talking to the UMP people, they thought it was weird, too, that I was
having to pay copays. I talked to Medica and they said that I had to
pay the copays. I've talked to others at work who say that they haven't
had to pay copays for after surgery checkups. It sounds like they have
Medica, but not National. Not sure what the scoop is on this, but if
others are not paying after surgery, it would be nice if the National
Plan did the same, especially when we it's the highest out of pocket
premiums. The committee may want to look into this one.
- Medica National
Issues: Suggestions about information transfer and billing statements
Suggestions:
- Medica should facilitate the transfer of information from one
Medica provider to another even when crossing through different
systems, e.g., SMDC and St. Luke's (Duluth).
- Work with providers to have understandable billing statements.
- Have an easier interface between Medica and Behavioral Health.
- Make sure EOB are provided (we had to get UMN involved to have
Behav Hlth provide EOBs)
- Medica National
Issues: Bad experience with billing and payments
( UM Employees Benefits is aware of this case.)
In 2006, my husband sought psychotherapy. We deliberately sought out
a Medica provider as a therapist. A complicating issue - but it
would seem to me not insurmountable - was that for the first part of
the year, my husband had his own `first' Medica policy, then
Preferred One with a deductible of $l500 as a first policy, and near
the end of the year, only my Medica for coverage. It was my
understanding that choosing an in-network provider would provide
better benefits. It was also my understanding that when the primary
insurance doesn't pay, after an `eob' (explanation of denial) is
sent, the secondary policy pays out.
We have a remaining therapy bill for my husband of over $l,000 and
the experience of dealing with Medica about this has been truly
hellish. They've provided many excuses for why they haven't paid out
on the bill and I finally contacted Employee Benefits to ask for
help. They gave me the name of C.G.- now it's C.B.
- who they said could be a liaison for U of M employees.
(She is a Medica employee). I've contacted her on l2 to 20 occasions
to try to get payment of the outstanding bill. Since January, she's
been telling me the bill will be paid `at the end of the week ...
next week.... It'll be processed tomorrow,' etc. etc. etc.
But the bottom line is that the bill never gets paid. Last week I
contacted J. at Employee Benefits to beg for their help. The
therapist who was not getting paid was calling us quite angry about
her large unpaid bill. (I think this is understandable since it's
going on nearly a year not being paid.)
- J. said she was going to contact C.B.
- C.B. was faxed all copies of bills and all insurance
card information on l2/28/2006. She said she never received it
(though the fax machine printed out a note stating `successful
fax.')
-
On l/29/2007, I contacted Medica and representative Cor. told me he
had no evidence of any insurance claims pending or received for my
husband.
-
I refaxed C.B. all the information plus additional information
again on l/30/2007.
-
When I spoke with her on l/30/2007 she said she would put the bill
through as an urgent one and stated `the turnaround time will be only
48 hours and it'll be paid!'
-
On 2/7/2007 (am and pm) I tried contacting C.B. to ask about the
expedited payment since it was never received.
-
C.B. told me on 2/9/2007 (at 8:48 AM!) that the claims
were adjusted and that they would be paid within the next week.
-
C.B. told me on 2/l7/2007 that the claims would be paid
the week of the l7th.
-
C.B. told me on 2//20/2007 (l0:30 AM!) that payment will
be going out tomorrow.
-
As you can see, again and again she's told me the check is in the
mail. Payment/coverage for his therapy sessions never comes. The
faxes are not evidently getting where they're supposed to be, and
regular Medica representatives have no record of the claims. Every
time I talk with C.B. she says the payment's coming.
Our insurance at the U is getting worse and worse! I have never
experienced a problem like this and it seems no help is in sight -
and no payment either.
I never received a call back from J. in Employee Benefits after
last week's conversation, either!
- Medica Regional
Issue: Lack of coverage of certain preventive care and lack of
chiropractors covered
With the rising cost of healthcare, I feel fortunate to have a plan that has
100% coverage. Lately however, I am questioning that coverage.
I recently went to the doctor for an annual physical. The doctor recommended
I have a bone density scan due to my age. She also thought I should have
some tests run to check hormone levels. At her suggestion, I contacted
my insurance to see if the tests would be covered. The thought NEVER
crossed my mind that it wouldn't be covered. Apparently hormone testing is
NOT covered. Now I feel that any time I go to the doctor, I need to
first call my insurance to see if the procedure/test is covered. When
did this change?? Why?
I live in rural Minnesota. My husband and I have sought chiropractic care. It is a challenge to find a chiropractor we like in this area. There are two chiropractors that we do prefer. Neither of them accepts Medica. They told us it is
because Medica will not allow them "in" as a provider. How does Medica determine who to enlist as a provider?
Thank you!
- Medica Regional
Issue: Approval process of chiropractic coverage
Hi, Peh. I don't remember if you are looking for comments about our
medical insurance all the time or not, but I have a concern about our
chiropractic coverage. Now when you visit the chiropractor, you have to
fill out a form stating what the problem is, how and when it started,
etc. Eventually you get a letter from insurance (not sure who) telling
you how many visits you have been approved for. Unfortunately, it takes
so long for the letter to come that you don't know if you've been
approved sometimes until you're already done with your treatments.
That's what happened to me recently. I've been to Dr. Mitteness three
times and don't need to go back and I've still not received a letter
from insurance. Mitteness's office is now requiring us to sign a
statement saying we will pay for anything not covered by our insurance,
because apparently Medica has been turning people down more often than
usual.
This is problematic because when you feel the need to see a
chiropractor, you really don't want to wait a couple weeks to find out
if it's going to be approved. I think I would have to pay something
like $43 per visit if I'm not approved. I fully expect I will be, but
you understand the problem.
Thanks.
- Medica National
Issue: Lack of coverage for certain treatment
Medica National Choice:
Having problems with approval for treatment for excessive sweating.
Was denied, but our doctor's office is appealing.
- Medica National
Issue: Lack of coverage for alternative medical treatments
So discouraging. I could not find any traditional medicine option
(cure) for an ongoing chronic situation....they just couldn't help. I
finally found the cure with an alternative practitioner (a
physician/internist.... not covered by insurance because she used
options outside traditional western medicine). I spent money out of
pocket to resolve my situation and am very pleased with the outcome.
But how sad that we are imprisoned by insurance conglomerates that
can't look outside the box. Thanks for listening. There are many of
us out here, looking for and finding alternative options very helpful.
- Medica National
Issue: Their physicians are NOT part of the providers
My dissatisfaction with this high end plan is that it seems that many physicians are so disgruntled by the difficulties of dealing with medica that they have simply opted out of participation in those plans. In my case two of the physicians we normally consult (we have some chronic health issues in the family) do not
participate in Medica plans.
I think it is important that at least the high end medical option have pretty much universal acceptance by physicians.
- Medica National
Issue: Ineffective communications and web site
I have not had good experiences with medica national.
During the signup process I called them repeatedly (at least 3 times)
about whether a
specific physician/hospital was part of their plan.
The customer service people didn't seem to know how to use their own
software. I got different answers every time.
I also find their web site pretty clunky.
Recently I had to visit a specialist. Their web site is so disorganized
and some doctors are listed under obsercure and misleading catagories
that it was difficult to find a doctor who is part of the plan.
- Medica National
Issue: Ineffective web site - out-of-date information
Tried to use Medica National once out of the MN region. In searching for a
doctor, their web site was out of date. Some doctors were no longer in
practice, others were not accepting patients, etc. Out of a choice of 8,
only one was still available and willing to see patients. This is a plan
that charges a premium and promises easy nationwide coverage.
But do they ....?
- Medica National
Compliment: Good coverage and timely payments
Issue: Unclear about a specific coverage for compression therapy
Hello,
I have been very pleased with the coverage of and timeliness of payment
by Medica Choice National. My only concern lies with having greater
detail about coverage. While I have used both the printed UPlan guide
and the online version, I could not find out how many compression hose
were covered each year. I had to call for this. A previous inquiry had
an answer of 4, so I delayed getting a prescription and securing more in
2006. When I called now in 2007, I was told that 4 applied for "thigh
high" and that it was 12 for "knee high". I use the latter and was
inconvenienced by the inaccuracy of the information initially given.
While being very grateful for any coverage, I had no way of double
checking this in any place.
- Medica (Choice)
Issue: had to fight for "scleral lens" coverage.
As requested, I am providing you with information regarding my
experience with Medica. I am blessed with an eye disease
(keratoconus) and had a cornea transplant approx. 20 years ago. My
keratoconus has affected the transplanted cornea now, and I have been
receiving medical care at Mayo Clinic. My first option was surgery,
which unfortunately was unsuccessful. My second option was to wear a
scleral lens which was prescribed by the physician. Medica did not
want to cover expense of this lens, even though the physician
stressed the importance/necessity of lens for vision--not cosmetic
intent. It took some time on my part, as well as that of Mayo Clinic
staff, to convince Medica that this should be a coverable expense. In
the end, they did relent, however, it was extremely time consuming
and a nuisance for me and others.
I hope this is the type of information you are seeking.
- Medica Regional
Issue: Would like better coverage for ambulance services
Hi Peh,
I read that you are on our Benefits Advisory Committee so I am
writing to you with my opinions.
As you know I have used our medical resources to the max over the
last 4 years. This year is no exception.
What I see is that the Doctors have had to go through more hoops to
get (her daughter) drugs that were being prescribed. I would personally
rather see the Doctors working on patient health than fighting
insurance companies for medicines or treatments.
Our insurance to date has been incredibly good in many, many
instances. We have had exceptional coverage for the most part.
One other part I don't like is the issues we have with ambulance
rides. The ambulance service is not well covered. We are considered
out of net work when we use the ambulance service out of Alexandria.
There are more and more people commuting from that area. I would like
to see that have better coverage. It is not feasible to have the
ambulance team from Morris drive up to Alexandria and take (her daughter) to
the U hospital. I have been very tempted to do this as the Morris
ambulance is 100% covered, and overall charges 1/3 less to begin
with.
I know these are not issues for the majority of the people. I just
wanted to let you know of the issues that do come up for a few of us.
- Medica National
Compliment: Satisfied with plan, and good customer service, but
Issue: had to make several contacts about billing.
Hello,
Overall I have to say that I am basically satisfied with Medica, though as
usual
I have had to make numerous calls to the insurance company to straighten out
billing issues.
Their customer service has been pleasant and helpful.
- Medica Regional
Compliment: Satisfied with plan, but
Issue: had to deal with claims denied and with information not supplied to secondary plans
Peh,
I have generally been happy enough with Medica's plan.
Over the past few months, however, I have been informed that they are
routinely denying claims they once paid and failing to provide
information to my secondary health plan (my spouse's on which I'm a
dependent). Because I have been so busy, and partly off campus, I have
not been able to follow up. But it's disturbing, even if after the
requisite phone calls I am satisfied that my coverage has done what it
was supposed to do.
- Medica National
Compliment: Good benefits, but
Issue: Ineffective UPLAN communications or information
While I understand the necessity and convenience of employee self
service, I have had many perplexities about my medical and dental
plan. More than likely because I auditory as well as visual learner
- and it has not been a good experience for me researching my plans.
I wanted two things - the $10 co-pay, the less expensive plan, and
one that was National. I had thought I found all in one, but ended
up with the National Plan and a $25 co-pay. This is because I
researched this myself in my limited spare time, and in materials
that were made available to me but required work.
I am trying to find my providers online - which is not too bad an
experience, because you can sort by location - but that has not been
as easy for me as simply getting a provider book and being able to
look at it at my convenience or by specialty.
I wanted to use the plan for chiropractic and unable to ascertain if
it covers acupuncture or not - don't know where to look.
I feel I have good doctors on this plan, and I got part of my
requirements, the National part, but not realizing I had a choice, if
I had known they were two separate, I would have taken the $10 co-pay
instead. I did not change it as it seems a big hassle to get all
new materials, etc. But I wish the materials were more informative
in a reader friendly way.
Thank you - and I am not complaining - I think the benefits here are
amazing, and I love being able to be so little out of my paycheck for
good insurance. It's just that - well - you asked!
- Medica National
Compliment: Open access
Issue: Would like more vision coverage
Dear Peh,
At the request of the recent email that was sent out, I wanted to
share my experience with Medica Choice. Overall, I am very happy
with Medica Choice. I love the freedom of choosing my own doctor
without needing a referral. My only wish is that it was the base
plan and would thus be more affordable.
My second request is that the University add some vision coverage to
its medical plans. My husband previously had eye insurance under
spectera. When he switched jobs, we lost that coverage. It was
terrible coverage - the only place that accepted it was WalMart.
But, now that we don't have any coverage at all, I realize that
something is better than nothing. Thanks for taking the time to read
my comments. Have a nice day,
- Medica Choice HRA
Issue: Lack of effective communications, especially on records of
payments
I have Medica Choice HRA and have been unable to access their new
website for my personal account and have not been able to get help
from those I have called to do so. It is difficult to track what
Medica has picked up in terms of co-pays and what the University has
paid in terms of the first $1000 (I have thus given up and hope for
the best).
- Medica Choice HRA & HSA
Issue: Inefficiency of reimbursements and billing records
Hi Peh,
I had the HRA plan in 2006, and the HSA plan for 2007. The one
complaint that I have about the HRA is the inefficiency of
reimbursements. Under the previous Definity health, the insurance
company paid the provider and the pharmacy directly, and periodically
sent a statement. Under the HRA, I have to pay the provider and the
pharmacy, and then they send reimbursement to me. Meanwhile, I have
to keep track of multiple bills, etc, to make sure that it all adds
up in the end.
Medica has been incompetent about the HSA plan. First, I got a 2007
insurance card for the HRA, even though that is not what I signed up
for. Later, I got a correct card. After that, I got information
about the HRA plan. I have STILL not received any information about
how the HSA plan works. Should I have any expenses to claim from the
HSA account, I have no idea how I would go about doing it.
Thanks for providing an opportunity for me to comment.
- Medica Choice HRA & HSA
Issue: Miscommunications about deductible and out-of-pockets maximums,
inefficiency of billing records, and a
bounced check from Medica!
The roll out of the HSA plan this year has not been very smooth. It was
set up unfairly at the start and then there was a miscommunication between
Medica and the University that potentially cost Univ. personnel a lot of
money and hassle. Fortunately, it looks like many of these problems have
been worked out for this year but others remain.
- The University contribution was much too low to make the plan
competitive with the other plans that were offered. In combination with
point 2 below, the difference was thousands of dollars.
- The University advertised the plan as having an individual limit within
the family limits for the deductible and the out of pocket maximum. The
benefits staff believed this to be true and told me that there were lower
individual limits ($2500 individual in family, $5000 family) on several
inquiries. The Medica staff told me the same thing, but when I complained
that my page on the Medica web site said the limits were the same for
individual and family, they looked into it. They found that the contract
signed by the University did not specify separate limits. I appealed this
and won separate limits for my family, but I don't know how many others
were affected.
- Some very good, commonly used procedures are not covered or even
counted toward the deductible. One is the angio CT test for heart
disease. Medica and the University have decided that one must do stress
testing and echo cardiogram first and then write and appeal to have this
test covered. On the HSA plan, you have to pay out of pocket for the
first two tests which total about the same as the angio CT. The latter
test actually gives the answer, whereas the first two just indicate that
something might be amiss.
- I found it impossible to have the 26 checks I received from Medica last
year deposited directly to my checking account. I sent in the paperwork
and canceled check twice and called them twice, but they could not work it
out.
- One of the checks bounced, meaning that I had to spend another half
hour on the phone and they had to issue a new check and pay the bank
penalty fees.
- I asked both Medica and the Benefits about the limits for my own
contributions to the HSA account. The values they told me were different,
so I had dig through the government publications to figure it out. It
turns out that neither value I had been told was correct.
- For every doctors visit I received: 1) a statement from the clinic
saying there were going to submit the bill to Medica, 2) a statement from
Medica saying they received the claim, 3) a statement from Medica saying
the claim was covered but that I had not reacted the deductible
(impossible to do at $5000), 4) A statement from the clinic with what I
actually had to pay. 5) A statement from the clinic saying the bill was
paid. 6) A check for $40 from the Wells Fargo every two weeks until the
bill is paid off (years based on the $1000 contribution from the U).
Multiply this times every visit for every member of the family. There
must be a simpler and cheaper way.
- Medica Choice HRA & HSA
Issue: Cumbersome billing system
The number of problems I had last year with the above stated medical
insurance plan, are too many to number.
Whenever I dealt with RxAmerica (which in my opinion is a completely
flawed system, which remains so) I was charged for medication as they
either did not understand my medical plan or did not communicate so
the out of pocket costs were well over $6000.00. As the year neared
the end, checks would be refuned (both by Medica and Rx) and then
bills would be resent, over and over again.
Having had a transplant 11-05 - my ability to pay while being out of
work was a hardship and I am thankful to those who at least listened,
although it seemed nothing was done - until both carriers were caught
up (Rx is not quite yet!)
The HRA and HSA accounts were not described thoroughly anywhere and
the difference between the payments for this insurance compared to
the others is quite substantial. I do not know that it has been
explained and I certainly have not sense of how it works even after
having it as a provider for a year.
- Medica Choice HRA
Issue: Lack of effective communications, especially on reimbursements
& payments
I understand that you are taking comments on our experiences with the
Medica Direct HRA plan. I had a very annoying problem with them that
shows that they don't give a damn about us as customers. The
details:
I submitted my first set of claims for reimbursement in early
November. I checked their Web site for submission instructions and
used the first page of their form and attached detailed statements
from my providers.
A month later I received a form in the mail saying that the
submission lacked a provider tax ID number (nowhere did it say on
their Web site that this was required). I called the Customer
Service number on the form and told them that I didn't have that
information, and what's more that I didn't see why they needed it
since the payment would come to me not the provider. She said that
it was required to identify the provider "in their system."
What was more bizarre, however, was that she said, "Oh I have that
number -- it's xxxxxxx" and she gave me the number. I asked why the
group that processed that claim didn't have the number and she said
it's up to the submitter to provide it. I asked why the other group
didn't contact her for the number and she said that they don't
communicate with her group. I asked if they were both part of
Medica and she said yes. I asked if they had telephones and email
and she said yes, but they don't communicate with each other. I
asked her why and she just said that it is the way it is! Then I
asked her to send that number to the other group and she said she
couldn't do that -- that it was up to me to give it to them!!!! I
then asked for their telephone number, and she said she couldn't
provide it and that I had to completely resubmit the claim by mail
with the required information! That meant wring the claim number on
each page, taking it to the Post Office again and spending money to
mail it again!!!!!!!!
Now keep in mind that this is their "Customer Service" person that I
was talking with. This was total Customer DISservice, with a
vengance! We have here two units of the same company that don't talk
to each other and a "Customer Service" unit that was no help
whatsoever. One unit needs information that the other unit has, but
won't transmit it. The they throw it back to the customer who needs
to spend their time and money to resubmit a claim which could have
been processed with a phone call or email message from one unit of
Medica to another.
Now they have "processed" my claims and rejected them because they
were submitted too late -- because they requested information that
they already had in their company's possession but refused to access
"because they don't do it that way," requiring me to resubmit the
claim.
Medica needs to be told in no uncertain terms that they cannot treat
us that way. We are not their pawns -- we are their customers and we
will not be mistreated, run through their hoops, and have valid
claims denied because of their bureaucracy.
I'll be happy to provide more information or speak with a Medica
supervisor if it will help get this kind of ridiculousness resolved.
- Medica HSA
Issue: None
Compliment
Very happy w/the HSA.
- Medica Regional
Issue: None
Compliment
My experience with Medica Choice Regional has been faultless. I had
unexpected major surgery one year ago (University Fairview Hospitals)
and all of my interactions with Medica went seamlessly. I couldn't
have asked for anything better. While it is also a testament to a
very good health policy, I assumed I would have some
hassles/confusion somewhere during this process in settling the
bills, etc. and there was absolutely NONE. I saw one statement
processing the hospital's billing (in excess of $34,000), that was
the only thing I ever saw or dealt with. Outstanding service!
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment
I am very satisfied with medica national, and hope we will always
continue to have this plan with the current benefits it provides. I
don't mind paying higher premiums, please always keep this plan. Going
to an in plan provider without having to get referrals is very important
to me, and I appreciate the University for offering this plan, please
keep up the good work, and thanks so much.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment
I have been completely satisfied with this program. I have a child in
college that uses the program out of town and his experience has also
been fine. Prompt, accurate billing. Professional, helpful phone
support.
Thanks ...
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment about Medica and UPLAN
Per the instructions we rec'd in the msg below, I am sending to you my
feedback regarding our UPlan health benefits. I have been pleased with
my coverage, especially as I have gone through breast cancer treatment
during October 2006 to present. Medica covered a very expensive
($3,000+) test to determine the genomics of the cancer cells, which then
determined if I needed chemotherapy or not. Fortunately I did not.
Today is my last day of radiation treatments. I have another surgery
scheduled in March, but so far I have been very pleased with my health
insurance benefits. No problems.
Please share with the committee my thanks for their hard work regarding
our health care benefits. I am very grateful and appreciative for
these, especially since October, when I received, at age 42, the news
that I had cancer. You never expect to hear that. Knowing I have good
insurance coverage has taken a lot of worries off my mind as I have been
going through the process of dealing with cancer. Thank you again,
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment about Boynton
I have either used Health Partners or Medica and have been
satisfied. However, since I've been going to Boynton Health Service
on campus which, I think, accepts any insurance, I feel I have been
given better care. What makes it the best is that patients are
referred to the University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics if
necessary. I had to have hand surgery and later learned that I had
one of the best hand surgeons in the country.
- Medica Regional
Issue: None
Compliment: Good coverage
Hi Peh. So far, Medica has served my family well. Good coverage with
amazingly little effort on our part. We've had two
"not-life-threatening" medical happenings in the last year, and
claims have been filed on our behalf by the clinic and hospital
without any confusion or complications. I appreciate that very much.
Coverage is good.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: coverage is great!
I am sincerely pleased with the benefits that the UMN allows my
husband and I to have.
The coverage is great, the pricing is fair (compared to other orgs
and companies).
The service I have received from Medica when I needed to call them
was outstanding.
I had a particular situation regarding changing of primary care
clinic, and they were extremely helpful in getting my needs met.
I'm only 31, and for some reason, I have changed providers, clinics,
etc at least 10 times in my young life.
Being at the UMN using Medica has been the easiest plan for me to
deal with- both financially and customer service wise.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Note: This comment concerns 2007 experience.
Experiences so far this year have been positive. New to this plan as
of January 1, 2007
- Medica Regional
Issue: None
Compliment: Good coverage
Hello~
I just want to share with you that I think the benefits are excellent
with regard to Medica. Thanks,
- Medica Regional
Issue: None
Compliment: Good coverage
Hi,
I have been extremely pleased with my health plan coverage. It is very
affordable with great copays. There are a large number of clinics and
hospitals that I
can attend. Everything has been positive and would keep it as it is.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: Like the comprehensive coverage
I have Medica Choice National family coverage, and I've been very pleased.
No problems getting service or coverage. I know it's more expensive, but I
like the plan's comprehensive coverage.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: Like the comprehensive coverage and open access
I am very pleased with the coverage and the cost of this medical plan.
I have found a wide array of physicians and specialists under the plan
as well as sports medicine physical therapy and coverage for
additional medical testing, xrays and lab work. I would like to see this
plan continue.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: good customer service
I have not had any problems with the Medica plan. Their coverage seems to be
reasonable. The customer service is helpful.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: good plan
My husband and I are new employees to the UMN, and we
would like to voice our satisfaction with our medical plan. We have
found the physicians to be excellent, responsive, and accessible, and
the administration of the plan to be efficient.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: good customer service
Hello!
I wanted to let you know that I have recently had extremely positive
interaction w/ Medica, regarding coverage for my spouse. He was
hospitalized for 4 days in November, and all of our claims have been
paid, in full (I had expected to pay some). In addition, the hospital
neglected to post one payment (of over $7000) to our account
immediately, and sent us a letter that we might need to pay this. I
called Medica, and not only did the representative tell me the payment
had been made (almost one month prior), but she kept me on hold while
she called the hospital and confirmed they had received the payment and
not yet posted it. I was very pleased w/the coverage, and the level of
service.
Thanks!
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: good customer service
Hi,
I am responding to the request to provide you with information on my
experiences with health benefits through Medica national. I
don't have anything to complain about that I can think of. My
experience with Medica has been fine. Medica's phone service to
answer any questions has always been good and prompt. Thanks for
asking for input.
- Medica National
Issue: None
I have found the Medica Choice is very easy to use at my regular
clinic. I've not had to use it anywhere else.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Hi, Peh:
I have Medica Choice National and have been pleased with my insurance.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Peh Ng,
Re: Monitoring the quality of Uplan health benefits.
I had a very good year with Medica National. No complaints!
- Medica National
Issue: None
I have seen no one but my primary care physician, so I haven't really
tested the network. No problems with coverage for my primary care
physician, and they send me EOBs regularly.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: Open access
Peh,
I have been satisfied with my experience with Medica National. They
messed up the billing for one visit but it got corrected. I was
pleased to be able to access a specialist outside of my main clinic,
which is the reason I chose Medica National.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: Open access
To whom it concerns:
I have been very pleased with this health coverage. The ability to
go to the specialists I want to and to go to medical services
nationwide is an important option.
Thank you,
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: Open access
I am very happy with Medica Choice National. My husband travels so
the "national" is a great option for us, just in case we should ever
need it. Please continue to offer this health plan... or simply
Medica Choice. I want to be able to go to whatever doctor I feel
necessary. And have Abbot Northwestern Hosptal as a choice!!!
- Medica National
Issue: None
In regard to your request for comment about current health plans: I am
very happy with Medica Choice. In the past year, I had surgery at the Mayo
Clinic and Medica covered almost all the expenses. Really, I couldn't be
happier with their coverage.
- Medica Regional
Issue: None
Compliment: Grateful for coverage of a diabetic device which is new
in the market
I would like to send my appreciation to Medica Insurance and you for the
immediate attention to the medical process in receiving my OmniPod. I have
had Diabetes for thirty-one years and your immediate attention lessened the
burden for me.
Recently Dr. L.F., my Adult Endocrinologist at Park Nicollet Medical
Center had advised a new pump for me, for tighter control of my Diabetes.
I went to preparation classes for a Diabetes pump. The last day of class,
I was notified that Park Nicolet was to be an outlet for what is called,
OmniPod Pump. This is a tubeless insulin pump. For my active life style,
this is the one that was recommended to me.
OmniPod is new on the market and was only available on the East Coast. The
manufacturer of this product is, "Insulet Corporation" in Massachusetts. I
have been told that I am the only one in the state of Minnesota that has
this new product, OmniPod. My medical insurance with the University of
Minnesota is Medica Insurance which is the only insurance company that has
approved the purchase of this new pump. I could not have purchased it
without the pre-approved coverage of my insurance. The OmniPod approval
went through many committees and was finally approved by Medica Insurance.
I would like to thank all the committees and you for your help in this
process and for my new life with OmniPod.
At this time, I call myself a guinea pig. Others refer to me as a pioneer.
We, the University employees do have the only insurance that I know of
that will give this new product a chance for advancement on Diabetes
Management. Once again, I Thank You.
- Medica National
Issue: None
Compliment: Happy with coverage; helpful medica staff and adm
I am very happy with this Plan and the insurance carrier. Medica Choice
National coverage is very good, the Medica folks that answer my
questions re coverage etc are really nice, helpful, and the
administrative details are handled very well.
Thanks!